Nancy Castaldo - The Farm That Feeds Us: A Year in the Life of an Organic Farm

Nancy Castaldo
Illustrated by Ginnie Hsu

Hurray for farms that supply us with the food we eat! Some farmers grow crops like corn, tomatoes, and wheat. Some farmers raise animals, like pigs, chickens, and cows. Some do both.

Farming has changed over the years. In the past, farmers used to run small farms with enough animals and crops to feed their family. Today, there are more large farms owned by corporations, which often farm in just one type of crop or animal. But small family farms still exist and many are helping to keep our planet, and the species that live here, healthy and thriving for many years to come.

Some farmers bring their foods to markets to sell and share with their communities. They sometimes grow and raise heritage and heirloom breeds, which look and taste like they have done for hundreds of years. These farmers help to keep our food varied and yummy.

Farmers, whether they grow vegetables or provide us with the milk we drink or the meat we eat, keep us healthy and strong.

Lets take a look at a farm that feeds us all year round.

There are many kinds of farms. Big and small. On all farms, the days are filled with busy work. Every season brings new life, new chores, and food for us to eat.

Dairy farms

Dairy farms keep lots of animals, like cows and goats, that give us milk. These farms produce milk, cheese, and butter.

Poultry farms

Poultry farms raise chickens, turkeys, and other birds for food and eggs.

Industrial vs free-range

Many farms raise animals, called livestock, for us to eat, but not all farms treat their livestock the same way. Industrial farms are big and often treat their animals with medicines and chemicals to keep them healthy and make them grow large. The animals may be kept in cramped quarters and are not able to practice their natural behaviors. Free-range farms are thought to be more ethical because animals are allowed to move about more freely. Animals are treated more kindly and are able to behave naturally.

Arable farms

On arable farms, the land is not used for grazing animals. Instead, the earth is plowed, either by tractor or by animal power. Once plowed, seeds are planted so that crops can grow.

Sheep farms

Sheep farms raise sheep for food and also for wool and milk. Certain cheeses, like pecorino and feta, are made from sheeps milk.

Orchards

Farms with rows and rows of trees that give us fruit and nuts are called orchards. They might grow apples, peaches, or almonds.

Organic vs non-organic

Non-organic farms use man-made fertilizers and chemicals on their crops to improve the soil and to control pests and weeds. Chemicals that kill pests, like beetles and weevils, are called pesticides. These can be harmful to animals, humans, and the environment. Farms that practice more natural farming methods and use less pest and weed killing chemicals are thought to be safer for our planet.

SPRING

Its spring on the farm! The days grow longer, and birds begin to sing early in the morning. But the farmer is awake even before the birds start chirping. Animals need to be fed. Cows and goats need to be milked.

INSIDE THE CHICKEN COOP

A coop is a small house where the chickens live to keep them safe. The rooster guards the hensCock a doodle doo it bellows when anyone comes near, even the farmer. Can you see any eggs in the coop?

What do chickens eat?

Chickens eat insects and seeds in the wild. On many industrial farms, chickens are kept in cages and are fed by machines, but on this farm, the chickens are free range which means that they can feed themselves as they roam about. Since these chickens are in the coop, the farmer adds some grain. Peck, peck, peck.

Laying eggs

Chickens lay lots of eggs in spring. Some types of hen lay speckled eggs, some lay long, narrow eggs, while others lay rounder eggs. If there arent too many hens, the farmer can tell which has laid each egg by its shape and color. Hurray, each hen in the coop has laid an egg and they are gathered up. The farmer counts: five, six, seven Soon there will be dozens! Some will be served for breakfast and the rest will go to market.

Egg hatching

The month of March is chick hatching time. Some chickens are broody, meaning that they sit on their eggs until they hatch. Eggs must be fertilized to become chicks.

Chicken breeds

There are many breeds of chickens in this coop. Some are brown, some are speckled, and some are black and white. Having a variety of different chickens on the farm lets the farmer have eggs all year. Old, heritage breeds are not as common on a farm, but make a flock more diverse.

Hamburg

Lays about 200 glossy white eggs per year.

Rhode Island Red

Lays about 250 eggs per year.